These easy Dutch oven recipes work in a cast iron Dutch oven: and they’re not just soup recipes. Think: risotto, bread, healthy broth, and more.
Do you have a Dutch oven? When Alex and I first starting cooking, we had no idea what a Dutch oven was! We asked for one as a Christmas gift one year, and the rest is history! There are so many easy Dutch oven recipes, it’s hard to know where to start! Here’s all about Dutch ovens: why to use a Dutch oven, what size to Dutch to buy, and of course: our favorite Dutch oven recipes!
Related: Easy Family Dinner Recipes
What is a Dutch oven? Why use a Dutch oven?
Before we start: what is a Dutch oven? A Dutch oven is a heavy cooking pot with a lid that’s used for braising meat and making soups and stews. Dutch ovens can be used on the stovetop or in the oven, and they’re typically made of cast iron. Some Dutch ovens have an enamel coating over the cast iron, which makes them easier to clean.
Why use a Dutch oven when you’re cooking?
- Dutch ovens hold heat well! When we first started using our Dutch oven, we were surprised at how smoothly sauteeing happens. It definitely feels more luxurious than doing the same thing in a normal pan.
- Dutch ovens are oven proof! Sounds simple, but it’s nice to have a pan that can be used on the stovetop and in the oven.
- Dutch ovens look pretty. Maybe this is silly, but we keep our Dutch oven out on our stove because it’s nice to look at and gives a cozy vibe.
- Dutch ovens can cook a myriad of things! Dutch oven soup recipes are delicious, but there are so many other things you can cook as well! Bread, dried beans, risottos: keep reading for the recipes.
Which and what size Dutch oven should I buy?
If you don’t have a Dutch oven, it can be overwhelming to try to find which brand and size of Dutch oven you should buy. Here are the ones we use: we have had great luck with both:
- Staub Dutch Oven 5.5 Quart This Staub Dutch oven is our workhorse Dutch oven that we use for everyday soups, risottos and more. The 5 quart size is perfect for a large batch of soup or chili.
- Lodge 6 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven This is the best dutch oven for bread, in our opinion! We use it to bake our sourdough bread recipe and it works like a charm.
Without further ado, let’s get to those Dutch oven recipes!
Roasted Cauliflower Risotto
Of all of the easy Dutch oven recipes, one of our favorites is using it to make risotto! The Dutch oven holds the heat so well that it’s a great pan for risotto. This easy cauliflower risotto recipe features roasted cauliflower and hearty chickpeas. It’s packed with nutrients and is a filling weeknight meal.
Sourdough Bread or Dutch Oven Bread
Next in our Dutch oven recipes: did you know you can use a Dutch oven to bake bread? The traditional method of cooking sourdough bread using steam can be hard to create at home, so our recipe uses a Dutch oven instead! Our best sourdough bread recipe is the ultimate guide to mastering sourdough bread at home. It has easy to follow instructions, a printable checklist, and a step-by-step video help you master that tangy flavor, chewy crust, and perfect texture. (As noted above, we use a separate Dutch oven for bread!) Or, you can make our Dutch oven bread, which is quicker, easier, and uses Greek yogurt for a little tang.
How to Cook Dried Beans in a Dutch Oven
Wondering how to cook dried beans? Our Dutch oven recipe for cooking dried beans is quicker and simpler than the traditional stovetop method.
Easy Vegetarian Ramen
You might not think of ramen as an easy Dutch oven recipe, but it’s perfect for a Dutch oven. This healthy and easy vegetarian ramen recipe is a great way to have an excellent bowl of ramen at home. Fresh and flavorful, it’s a great vegetarian dinner. And with few simple substitutions, it’s vegan as well.
Classic Vegetarian Chili
Chili in a Dutch oven? Yes, please! This vegetarian chili is so thick and flavorful, you won’t miss the meat! It’s a crowd pleasing hit with vegan, vegetarian, and meat eaters alike.
Homemade Vegetable Broth
Topping the charts of our favorite Dutch oven recipes is this homemade vegetable broth. It takes less than an hour to make, is cheaper than storebought, and is a great way to utilize vegetables you have on hand. Make it on the weekend and freeze it for use throughout the week.
Parmesan Black Truffle Risotto
We’re into risotto over here, and this one’s a fancy version! Though it sounds gourmet, this Parmesan truffle risotto recipe is pretty simple to put together in a Dutch oven. And the black truffle flavor sends it out of this world.
Moroccan Cauliflower Soup
This list is not all Dutch oven soup recipes, but of course we had to mention some of our favorite soups! This cauliflower soup recipe is vegan and full of cozy Moroccan spices, like ginger and turmeric. It’s a healthy cauliflower soup that’s easy and delicious. (PS Head over for the video of our Dutch oven recipe in action!)
Roasted Tomato White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Oh, did we mention mac and cheese? Making the creamy white cheddar sauce is perfect in a Dutch oven. This homemade mac and cheese with tomatoes is comfort food at its finest, featuring a silky cheese sauce and roasted cherry tomatoes. It’s a fan favorite!
Hearty Sweet Potato and Kale Soup
Another favorite easy Dutch oven recipe is this hearty sweet potato and kale soup! It features black beans, sweet potatoes, and kale, and is flavored with cumin and lime. It’s bursting with flavor and a deliciously healthy recipe.
Mushroom Risotto with Kale
Can’t stop, won’t stop on the risotto recipes! This kale and mushroom risotto comes together in about 30 minutes in the Dutch oven. It’s easy to make and perfect for company. Enjoy with a glass of wine and toasty bread.
Chipotle Black Bean Tortilla Soup
The last easy Dutch oven recipe is a preview from our cookbook, Pretty Simple Cooking! It’s one of our most popular quick soup recipes. Full of zesty flavor, black beans, and tomatoes, it’s topped with crunchy tortilla strips.
Looking for even more Dutch oven recipes?
- Golden Vegetable Soup Recipe
- All-Star Sweet Potato Chili
- Ultra Creamy Leek Soup
- Italian Soup with Vegetables & Gnocchi
- Ribollita (Tuscan Vegetable Stew)
Dutch Oven Recipes
These easy Dutch oven recipes work in a cast iron Dutch oven: and they’re not just soup recipes. Think: risotto, bread, healthy broth, and more.
Roasted Cauliflower Risotto
This easy cauliflower risotto recipe features roasted cauliflower and hearty chickpeas.
Artisan Dutch Oven Bread
Our Dutch oven bread is quick, easy, and uses Greek yogurt for a little tang
Classic Vegetarian Chili
This vegetarian chili is so thick and flavorful, you won’t miss the meat!
How to Cook Dried Beans in a Dutch Oven
Our Dutch oven recipe for cooking dried beans is quicker and simpler than the traditional stovetop method.
About the Authors
Sonja Overhiser
Cookbook Author and writer
Sonja Overhiser is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best healthy cookbooks of 2018. She’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the food blog A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Sonja seeks to inspire adventurous eating to make the world a better place one bite at a time.
Alex Overhiser
Cookbook Author and photographer
Alex Overhiser is an acclaimed food photographer and author based in Indianapolis. He’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the recipe website A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Alex is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best vegetarian cookbooks by Epicurious.
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